So all , help me out
I have 2002 diesel, 5 speed With 3.55 rear end
I am wondering if i will be able to pull a 5th wheel.
Dry weight is 10210
GVWR is 13900
Dealers have not been any help
On line has been all over the place
Tell me what you know For sure
Not what you think
Thanks

 

You've left out a couple pieces of the puzzle but IF your diesel is the Cummins equipped Dodge the short answer is yes, it will tow it. If your truck is a 3/4 ton it's not going to be happy because of the tire load on the single wheel rear axle.

 

If my SRW 91 reg cab can pull my 8800lb dry (usually loaded heavier) 5th camper easily than your 02 should be able to pull that thing without question. Just be sure the brakes are in good working order. I have airbags aswell which help stabilize the load alot.

 

I know for sure... my stock engine 2001 2500 4X4 5 speed diesel with 3.55 gears has pulled 3 of my last 5th wheel RV trailers that were in that weight range, sure if you are going up a steep mountain pass you have to change down gears but that's what gears are for. The truck has more than enough pulling power but you will need an EGT gauge and while you are at it a boost and fuel pressure gauge.

That said what the single rear wheel 2500 is lacking is in the sticker on the door jamb that says how much weight it can carry. You don't say where you are located, you don't say the trailer length, you don't say the trailer pin weight, and you don't say the model of truck. So I'll guess at 34-36 foot length with a pin weight of 2000lbs loaded but with waste tanks empty and a 2500 4X4 CC. You would be around 500- 600lbs over your GVWR but within your GAWR, if that bothers you or the weight police in whatever area you are in. You would be close with a 3500 SRW and no problem with 3500 DRW.

 

It will pull it no problem, stopping is another matter. If you're headed for the hills I'd install an exhaust brake.

 

If you don't have a dually the tongue weight for a trailer that size would probably be too much. "E" rated tires are rated at 3042# each and if you have Dana 80 rear axle, the rating is 7500#. "G" rated tires might make this possible. I tow a 12,000# 5th wheel with a single slide and my rear axle weight is 5500#. John

 

Thanks all, for the input
My truck 2500 cummins

5th wheel
Hitch Weight 1955 lbs
Length 28'1
Weight police dont usually stop 5th

 

My tongue weight is about the same as yours,you should be good to go.
Also, 10,210#, dry, seems awfully heavy for a 28' 5th wheel.
Happy traveling-John

 

That does seem heavy, even if it's an older rig.
My o9, 36' Grand Junction 5er was 11000 approx.

 

You'll tow that 5th wheel perfectly fine as its not to big for the truck. Stopping isnt usually a problem either if the trailer brakes are working like they should because trailer brakes are supposed to be able to stop the weight of the trailer so in theory the truck shouldn't be stopping the trailers weight. But.....this has nothing to do with going down hills or long grades because while trying to maintain a safe speed you'll quickly overheat all your brakes and either cause brake component damage or become completely unsafe on the road or both. Exhaust brakes are completely necessary when towing heavy. If you dont have one then get one. If you dont think you need one then just wait until your truck and trailer turn into a white knuckle E ticket ride as you plummet down a hill with little to no brakes.

 

Here is my humble opinion. You should have no issues as long as you address a few things. You need E rated tires/ Your asking for a blowout having those D rated tires, or at the very least wearing you tires down really fast. I would swap back to stock size tires, or at least one size above to keep yourself in that sweet spot for pulling. Airbags are a must!! They are cheap and REALLY help with the sway. Remember, they don't allow for more capacity, they only help you manage it better! I would invest in an exhaust brake if you can, it helps. I haven't found the need yet, but when I can afford one it is going in. You're gonna know the trailer is back there for sure, but you shouldn't have too much trouble with it. I tow a 40' 10,000lb dry, 12,500GVW 5th wheel and with my tires and airbags it handles it fine. I recently towed from South Texas to Maryland and had 0 issues. Good Luck!

 

Well I tell you what. My dads 02 is pretty much the same truck, other than being a 6spd.

My camper is 33ft long, ~1900 hitch weight, and ~9800 ship weight, probably ~ 12000 or so with all of my crap in it.

I wouldnt hesitate for a second to get under it with Dads truck and go cross country.

Just make sure you have a good set of tires, and good brake box, and FUNCTIONAL trailer brakes.

 

I've been pulling a 28' 5er at about 12,500 (see signature) loaded for 10 years, mostly out west from Missouri. I LIKE the 3.55 rear end, because we put mostly non-towing miles on the truck once we park for 3-6 months at a time. I get 20 mpg when not towing and average 11.5 towing. Pulling is NO problem; I have had to shift to 2nd gear uphill (16% grade near Monterrey) once and 3rd gear many times. I have had to shift the same way going down the grades, but sometimes even then I have to apply too much braking. This last trip down a long 8% grade I did smoke both my trailer (weren't adjusted correctly his trip) and truck brakes and they did start to fail. Luckily I was in 3rd gear and did get pulled over to let everything cool for 45 minutes before proceeding. I had to replace the front pads and rotors upon arrival. I will get a BD exhaust brake installed before my next trip out. Any individual in NE Missouri with extensive experience installing this beast?